Macarbe Madam

Friday, April 16, 2010

From Robert P. Watson, Ph.D. Coordinator of American StudiesLynn University

I am always being asked to grade Obama's presidency. In place of offering him a grade, I put together a list of his accomplishments thus far. I think you would agree that it is very impressive. His first six months have been even more active than FDRs or LBJs the two standards for such assessments. Yet, there is little media attention given to much of what he has done. Of late, the media is focusing almost exclusively on Obama's critics, without holding them responsible for the uncivil, unconstructive tone of their disagreements or without holding the previous administration responsible for getting us in such a deep hole. The misinformation and venom that now passes for political reporting and civic debate is beyond description.

As such, there is a need to set the record straight. What most impresses me is the fact that Obama has accomplished so much not from a heavy-handed or top-down approach but from a style that has institutionalized efforts to reach across the aisle, encourage vigorous debate, and utilize town halls and panels of experts in the policy-making process. Beyond the accomplishments, the process is good for democracy and our democratic processes have been battered and bruised in recent years.

Let me know if I missed anything in the list (surely I did).

_____

1. Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending2. Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices3. Instituted enforcement for equal pay for women4. Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq5. Families of fallen soldiers have expenses covered to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB6. Ended media blackout on war casualties; reporting full information7. Ended media blackout on covering the return of fallen soldiers to Dover AFB; the media is now permitted to do so pending adherence to respectful rules and approval of fallen soldier's family8. The White House and federal government are respecting the Freedom of Information Act9. Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible10. Limits on lobbyist's access to the White House11. Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration12. Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date13. Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren't even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan14. Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research15. Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research16. New federal funding for science and research labs17. States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards18. Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect19. Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools20. New funds for school construction21. The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out22. US Auto industry rescue plan23. Housing rescue plan24. $789 billion economic stimulus plan25. The public can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (the new plan can be completed in one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying26. US financial and banking rescue plan27. The secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed28. Ended the previous policy; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with the Geneva Convention standards29. Better body armor is now being provided to our troops30. The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 201031. Restarted the nuclear nonproliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols32. Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic33. Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions34. Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office35. Successful release of US captain held by Somali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job36. US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast37. Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles38. Cash for clunkers program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulated auto sales39. Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government40. Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children41. Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program42. Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return home to visit loved ones43. Ended the previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions44. Expanding vaccination programs45. Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters46. Closed offshore tax safe havens47. Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals48. Ended the previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs; the new policy is to promote in-sourcing to bring jobs back49.. Ended the previous practice of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from credit card industry's predatory practices50. Energy producing plants must begin preparing to produce 15% of their energy from renewable sources51. Lower drug costs for seniors52. Ended the previous practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug manufacturers for cheaper drugs; the federal government is now realizing hundreds of millions in savings53. Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel54. Improved housing for military personnel55. Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses56. Improved conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other military hospitals57. Increasing student loans58. Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program59. Sent envoys to Middle East and other parts of the world that had been neglected for years; reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy60. Established a new cyber security office61. Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military 20 years after the Cold War to a more modern fighting force; this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military, new technology and cyber units and operations, etc.62. Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts63. Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness64. Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient65. Students struggling to make college loan payments can have their loans refinanced66. Improving benefits for veterans67. Many more press conferences and town halls and much more media access than previous administration68. Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud69. The FDA is now regulating tobacco70. Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules71. Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports72. Authorized discussions with North Korea and private mission by Pres. Bill Clinton to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons73. Authorized discussions with Myanmar and mission by Sen. Jim Web to secure the release of an American held captive74. Making more loans available to small businesses75. Established independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of Medicare76. Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court77. Authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans78. Limited salaries of senior White House aides; cut to $100,00079. Renewed loan guarantees for Israel80. Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan81. Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan82. New Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing and prioritizes aid, development of infrastructure, diplomacy, and good government practices by Afghans83. Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and cleaner, efficient energy production84. Returned money authorized for refurbishment of White House offices and private living quarters85. Paid for redecoration of White House living quarters out of his own pocket86. Held first Seder in White House87. Attempting to reform the nation's healthcare system which is the most expensive in the world yet leaves almost 50 million without health insurance and millions more under insured88. Has put the ball in play for comprehensive immigration reform89. Has announced his intention to push for energy reform90. Has announced his intention to push for education reform

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Okay, sorry I've been slacking. My migraines have been flaring like no tomorrow. So here's some things I've finished. First is my sisters stocking from the February 2010 Cross Stitch Gold. Second is Damsel's Dozen by Dragon Dreams. Third is Baby Express from Dimensions and Fourth is Imagine by Joan Elliot from her book "Bewitching Cross Stitch"

Monday, March 8, 2010

I got this done on Thursday but have been too busy to post. Darn life getting in the way of internet time.Done on 28 Count Crystal Mercedes from Picture This Plus, DMC thread, Krienik Thread, Mill Hill Beads. Design by Lynne Nicoletti.

The picture really doesn't do the fabric justice. It's very pretty and soft with clouds of blue and pink. My camera cannot take a good picture of it. But I reached my goal of finishing it before I the movie came out.

I'll post my Works in Progress another time. I've got three going, heh.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Okay I really finished it like a week ago but I'm still happy it's done! It was only 245 pages but I've been reading it since MAY! I never take that long to read a book. Especially one that is that short! I read any Harry Potter book in 6 hours or less.

The reason for being so long? Well, I love history. That's no mystery. But this one is so full of information it made the book boring and it wasn't like it was all different history. It was the same history, reworded through out the book.

Did I lean anything? Hell yes. If there is something Florescu and McNally are good at it's giving you enough information on Vlad Tepes Dracula to gorge yourself stupid on. I learned allot, however, it couldn't have been more dry cut if they tried.

I read In Search for Dracula by both of the authors and McNally's Dracula Was a Woman and they are also dry and for whatever reason it comes back every time to oral sex. I refuse to buy that all vampire legend relates back to that. No. Sorry, DON'T buy that.

So what's next for me? Well right now I'm trying to finish up Queen of the Damned. (Yes, I know. I'm vampire obsessed.) And then I've found another one on Erezbet Bathory. And it's a HISTORICAL one this time! WHOOO HOOO! I cannot begin to stress how hard that is to find. Yeah, I know, I've got the holy grail of her history books but it never hurts to learn more.

I'm going to try to get a book on the Romanov Family. Apparently, one of my ancestors was the Czarina's body guard. Yeah, I know he did a sucky job but it's still freaking cool! I found one about their assasination. Of course I found one where the son used a time machine and came to the present. Seriously people? This is as bad as the The Blood Countess where her male ancestor kills his ex lovers daughter and Elizabeth Bathory takes over the mother who was in a mental institution. Horrible book!

Alright, I'm off to work some more on this Baby Express Kit. Can I just state it is TOO CUTE! My friend may not get it. Seriously, it's too cute to give up. =P

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Anywho, I put Tracery Dragons and Snowman Stocking aside for right now. Working on two new ones. Why? Because I'm like that.First up is Alice by Lynne Nicoletti. It's done with DMC Floss and Krienik Metalics on Crystal Lugana Mercedes from Picture This Plus. I'm trying to get it done fast but doubt I'll get far. I keep finding I don't have the right colors. Six boxes of floss and not enough to do the design. Go figure. (just ignore the rings marks. I took it out to take the picture.)

This one is too stinking cute My friend is doing her nursery in trains so I found this and love sewing it. The black oval is my new Needle Minder. Can I just say that I love it? It's this little magnetic disc that I can attach to the fabric and it keeps my needle on that magnet. I got a hibiscus. (do I even need to say why I chose that flower?) The kit is called Baby Express and is from the Dimensions Company.

I'm going to keep working on it and should have to done quicker then I thought (Now watch, I've cursed myself and everything is going to go wrong. lol)